Don't Tell My Snowboard...

...but my bike has gotten more action this winter than it has.  It was a treat to get out for a 10 mile ride today. The temperature peaked around 60F, so our friend M and I literally rode after work until it got dark.  It was a very refreshing experience not to be bundled up!  Our bikes even smiled.   -A

(PS Don't tell anyone I still kind of miss the snow).

Annual Farmer's Market Trip (AFMT)

I made up the acronym!  Every year, at least P and I try to ride down to a local farmer's market that sits along the path of a trail we frequent.  As like many other years, this year our friend M joined us.  We usually grab a fresh snack.  It is typically a longer ride than we usually take after work (30 miles) so we had to plan to get there early enough to beat the darkness back to our cars.  We had to book it (it is the end of August and daylight leaves a little more quickly now) but we did get back to our cars - with yummy grapes and cookies in our tummies. -A

Hi Ho Hi Ho, It's Off To Work I Go!

I have so much to say, I don't know where to start.  Today was my first ever commute to work on my bike!  My workplace is not right around the corner, but it is also not across town.  For my first commute, I decided to take the safest, most predictable route.  I drove my bike about 4 miles from my home to the park and rode from there.  It saved about 30 minutes to an almost 1 hour for the ride each way.  Riding through the park, it felt earlier than it really was.  It was very quiet and the shadows were longer than what I am used to, since I typically get out to ride in the evening.  It was also a cooler day than it has been recently, and that was a blessing.  

I rode about 9.5 miles to work.  I am very thankful that there are showers in the basement of the building I work in.  I tried to remember everything to get ready for work. The only things I forgot were shampoo, earrings, and sunscreen for the ride home (good thing it was a cloudy day).  I thought that was pretty good on my part, for this being my first commute. 

The worst part of the journey was that my bike had to spend all day in the office with me.  Poor bike, both of us would have rather been outside.

The ride home was actually a little quicker since I could go down some of the more intense hills I went up in the morning.  It was decent ride as well, only about half of what I am used to in the evenings so I still have most of the night to relax and do other things.

Overall Stats:

Mileage: 19.1 miles round trip.

Time Out: approx. 50 minutes

Time Back: 45 minutes

I learned quite a bit today.  I am sure that I can find a quicker route if I enter and exit at different parts of the park.  Or maybe not even take that route at all.  And there are other logistical things that would probably make my trip easier, considering my back pack was quite heavy.  Perhaps a rear bike rack is in my near future? I am sure there are other efficiencies I could adopt as well.  Because of my work, after work schedules, and the time and distance between everything, I don't know if bike commuting is something that I could practically do every day, but I will definitely do it again. I want to thanks the LGRAB Summer Games for giving me the little extra motivation to get out there and commute to work! -A

Let the Trail Running Commence

We always seem to look forward to trail running. I think it provides enough variety in our routine that makes it seem new every time. Or, perhaps it is because we get to see sights like these.

Even though P and I always think it is a good idea at the time, about half way up we change our minds. However, we keep going. Yesterday we climbed these stairs twice.

We are always very proud of ourselves, as tough as it is, and enjoy the journey back down.

We continued the evening with a bike ride on the multi-purpose trail. The weather cooperated and these are the evenings and events that summer seems to be made for. -A

At the Track

So P and I decided that a little speed work in our running and riding and yoga program was necessary if we want to ever post faster times in the races we do. Tonight was the official first time I was going to go to the track since basketball conditioning in high school. Since the local high school track is only about a mile and a half away I decided to ride my bike there. When I get there I see this sign.

I had actually mentally prepared myself all day for a track workout. I am surprised with myself that my first reaction wasn't "ok, so I'll just run around the neighborhood". It was actually, "where is the next closest track and can I ride there"? It turns out that the neighboring city's high school track was only about 5 miles away, and thankfully, along the bike lane.

So, I finally arrived at a track! A good workout, sprint intervals for only a mile since I had an unexpectedly long ride. A 3 mile round trip turned into an 11 mile round trip.

-A

Happy Birthday Blog

A picture from where it all began. Thanks, Big Boy! We can't believe a year has already gone by. Starting this blog has been a lot of fun for both of us. Documenting "notable" pictures, events, or things that peak our interest has been our main goal. Our direction may not always seem defined or specific, but we do find it fun to post items that strike us as something that may be nice to share. There are times the blog inspires us to capture a moment in our lives that may have gone by unnoticed. We look forward to another year!

There is Always Evidence

It is winter in NE Ohio. Two days following an almost 60 F day (really, it is always unseasonably something here and this fact will more than likely get mentioned again each season, at least once), the skies were blue. A rarity, but I love it. And the evidence that it is still winter? Icicles on the cliff. Also, it was more than half the temperature today (close to 25ish, not counting the windchill), but it was still beautiful outside. -A

Indian Summer??

I was not planning on taking a walk. But I am glad I did. It is not often that I get to enjoy the bike path at an appreciating speed. Didn't miss my bike or running shoes at all today. -A

Cricket

I named the bunny cricket because it looked so much more specific than Bugs. It was nice meeting you, Cricket. I am glad we stopped to eat a granola bar on our bike ride. -A

The Thorn in My Tire

Went through my bike tire and into my tube. 4 mile walk occurred. That is the last time the tools and extra tube will be left at the car for a "short ride". Especially on that part of the path...creepies...

-A